All the Arts, All the Time

'The Simpsons' pays tribute to Watts Towers

February 21, 2011 | 10:39
am

The Watts Towers in South Los Angeles have been in the news a lot recently, mostly for the financial problems dealing with the conservation of the historic site. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art said it had received a $500,000, one-year grant from the James Irvine Foundation to carry out its work on the towers.

On Sunday, the famous sculptures received some publicity in the form of a brief tribute on "The Simpsons." In the episode, Bart Simpson is nominated for an Academy Award for his short animated movie "Angry Dad." The family visits L.A. during awards season, but to prevent dad Homer from attending the Oscars ceremony, Bart sends him on a tour of the city's less glamorous attractions, including the Watts Towers.

Artist Simon Rodia completed the towers -- which stand about 99 feet tall at their highest point -- in 1954.